Draymond Green is in the thick of a tough stretch right now, and the numbers tell the story: he’s racked up more personal fouls (80) than made field goals (72) so far this season. That stat doesn’t define his value, but it does spotlight the physical toll he’s taking - and the role he’s being asked to play in Golden State’s evolving lineup.
Green has always been the Warriors’ defensive heartbeat, but this year, he’s being pushed even further into the trenches. He’s spending over half his minutes at the four, with another third at the five, and occasionally sliding to the three.
But make no mistake - most of his defensive assignments are coming against opposing centers. That’s asking a lot from a 6-foot-6 forward who’s built more like a linebacker than a traditional big.
According to Marc J. Spears on NBA Today, that workload is beginning to wear on Green. “I’m hearing, too, that Draymond’s a little frustrated with having to guard centers and having to guard guys that are 40, 50 pounds heavier than him on a nightly basis,” Spears said.
And it’s not just on the defensive end where Green is carrying weight. Offensively, he’s functioning as the Warriors’ primary initiator.
He leads the team in touches per game at 70.4 - ahead of even Stephen Curry (65.7) and Jimmy Butler (65). That’s a clear sign of how much the ball is in his hands, orchestrating the offense and setting the tone for a team still trying to find its rhythm.
The fouls? They’re a symptom, not the cause.
Green’s never been a high-volume scorer, and no one in the Warriors' front office is expecting him to be. His value has always been in the intangibles - the leadership, the communication, the defensive IQ, the playmaking.
But when he's forced to bang with bigger bodies night after night and still run the offense on the other end, something’s got to give.
That’s why the Warriors' depth in the frontcourt is becoming a real concern. They need another big - someone who can soak up minutes at the five, take some of those bruising matchups off Green’s plate, and allow him to play more of the hybrid role that’s made him so effective over the years.
Whether help arrives before the Feb. 5 trade deadline is anyone’s guess. But if the Warriors want to get the best version of Draymond - the one who can quarterback the defense and facilitate the offense without getting worn down - they’ll need to find a way to lighten his load. Because right now, he's doing a little bit of everything - and a little too much of the heavy lifting.